National Survey Recognizes America's Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces

COLUMBUS, OH--(Marketwired - Sep 14, 2016) - The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, America's only nonprofit public charity dedicated to finding adoptive homes for children waiting in foster care, is proud to announce its 10^th annual Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces, with a new company atop the list.

Ferring Pharmaceuticals is ranked No. 1 this year. The company offers employees up to $25,000 in financial assistance and up to five-and-a-half weeks of paid leave to adoptive parents.

"We feel strongly that we should assist individuals to realize their dream of having a family, whether it occurs biologically or through adoption," said Karen Gehrig, Ferring's associate director of compensation.

The Wendy's Company, meanwhile, has been honored with an emeritus status to recognize its long-term and continued commitment to adoption benefits.

Since 2007, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption has compiled this annual list, and for the first time this year is recognizing all companies that applied. A new Adoption-Friendly Workplace website (adoptionfriendlyworkplace.org) will help employers and job seekers compare how companies stack up.

"We're committed to dramatically increasing the number of adoptions from foster care, and commend all employers who support families -- especially those that grow their families through adoption," said Rita Soronen, president and CEO of the Foundation. "We are so grateful to every company that puts adoption-friendly benefits in place, and we're honored to recognize each of them as an Adoption-Friendly Workplace."

There are more than 100,000 children in the U.S. foster care system waiting to be adopted. Every year, more than 23,000 children in foster care age out of the system without families.

Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces represent companies big and small across the country, including Abbott, Accenture, Brooks Brothers, Caribou Coffee, Citizens Bank, Commonwealth of Kentucky, HanesBrands, Domino's Pizza, Kohl's, Mayo Clinic, Microsoft Corporation, Nestlé USA, New York University, Snapchat, TCG, The Coca-Cola Company, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Zappos, among others.

Adoption-Friendly Workplaces are determined by an analysis of financial assistance and paid leave for families who adopt, based on surveys completed by employers. Employers offer financial reimbursement ranging from $0 to $25,000, and a maximum of 0 to 18 weeks of paid leave. Unpaid leave for adoption, beyond the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), ranges from zero weeks to three years. This year's applicants offer an average of $8,000 and five weeks of paid leave.

Companies and their employees interested in learning how to create or enhance an Adoption-Friendly Workplace can order the Foundation's free kit at: adoptionfriendlyworkplace.org.

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About the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption:
The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is a national nonprofit public charity dedicated exclusively to finding permanent homes for the more than 130,000 children waiting in North America's foster care systems. Created by Wendy's® founder Dave Thomas who was adopted, the Foundation implements evidence-based, results-driven national service programs, foster care adoption awareness campaigns and innovative grant making. To learn more, visit davethomasfoundation.org or call 1-800-ASK-DTFA.